Aston Villa contract talks for striker Andreas Weimann stall

ANDREAS WEIMANN could leave Aston Villa after initial talks over a new deal at the club stalled.

Andreas Weimann, who scored against Arsenal on Saturday - has turned down Villa's contract offer

The Austrian international has been a key player for Paul Lambert's struggling side this season, scoring 10 goals in 29 appearances.

With his contract set to run out in the summer of 2014, Villa had moved to tie the 21-year-old down to a long-term deal, but have been dealt an early blow in their attempts to do so.

Weimann grabbed the headlines in November for striking twice against Manchester United to give Villa a 2-0 lead, which was later relinquished on route to defeat.

It would be great for the long term if Andreas signs. The talks have been ongoing

Paul Lambert

Lambert insists that Weimann is a crucial part of his side and will push on with negotiations, although the former Rapid Vienna frontman may wish to wait until the end of the season and see if the club stay in the Premier League.

"It would be great for the long term if Andreas signs," said Lambert. "The talks have been ongoing."

“The way he conducts himself on the pitch and in training is excellent. He has been really on top of his game and taken his chance in the first team.”

Lambert wants Weimann to stay at Villa Park

Weimann is thought to have turned down an four-year offer from Villa that increases his current £15,000 per week salary, but the player is focusing on the relegation battle and not his future.

"We will fight for each other, for the fans and for the club and do everything we can to stay up," says Weimann.

"We have 11 games to go and we will do everything to get out of this.

"We're confident of turning it around. We've got 11 games to get out of it. We're confident that by the end of the season we won't be in there."